Sending Them Off

Don't blink, everyone said. I didn't. But the time still went too fast. Dorito was all packed and loaded yesterday. I hugged him and cried just a little. Enough for me to show how deeply I love him and yet not too much to make him embarrassed. Today, he and Captain are playing golf in Manhattan and then moving into the fraternity tomorrow. Probably better if I'm not there. Instead, I was on the road with the twins. We left at 6:05 a.m. in  order to get to Nashville in time for 4:30 hockey practice. It gave me a lot of time to think and pray. And I read this article in the Washington Post which Alison forwarded. "Eighteen years is not enough." Please excuse me while I'm brooding.

All Eyes on Augusta

It's hard to get Dorito to study for his College Algebra exam when he has live streaming with "The Masters App." Same for the twins! First thing they noticed was the LARGE crowds compared to last year. They should have gone last year when Tiger was "out," and the crowds were much small. We don't like Tiger anyway. Today, they are hoping for Mickelson, Rose, Lynn, Garcia, Westwood, and the 14-year-old Chinese amateur to make the first cut. I gave in at lunch time and they watched for awhile. We also looked up the story behind the naming of "Amen Corner." Counts for a little learning, but now we are back to our regularly scheduled homeschool programming.

Golfing Expectations

Dorito has started back part-time at the Fairview Golf Course. He is looking forward to having no school tomorrow and is already planning a golf outing for the Schmidling four-some.
He's also talking a great deal about the Masters Tournament, which starts tomorrow. He downloaded an App to his iPhone that let's him stream live coverage 24/7. All my boys are excited about that. Dorito also hinted that for his High School Graduation present (next year), he would like Captain to take him to see the Masters up close.

Hockey Results are Good

Polar Bear has a streak going -- where he scores the first goal of the first game every weekend they are playing hockey!  He is proud and so are we. Especially since they beat the #7 team from Madison, Wisconsin once and tied once today. The play-by-play from Captain allowed me to share in the excitement.
Meggar and Dorito stayed home.  There was work at the golf course, robotics-building sessions, and major shoe shopping with coupons involved!

Golf Balls

The bad news is that Dorito has to work on Labor Day.  The good news is he always brings home 2-3 Titleist Pro-V 1 golf balls from the far edges of the driving range.

P.S.  He also squeezed in nine holes of golf with his Dad to take advantage of the free cart and beautiful weather! 

Twins are Not Always Equal

We totalled up the summer hockey stats, and the twins both led the team scoring 8 goals a piece (three tournaments=15 games).  I love when it equals out!  Even in golf, they alternate winning 1st place every other year.  But this year, the golf bracket was kept all season long.  We didn't enter all the events, so Winger finished one-half-point ahead of Polar Bear.  Meaning only one boy got into the play-offs today, and the other stayed home.  They tried to pretend it didn't matter.  But there were suspicious scores that placed other boys in the play-off, so I have hurt feelings about the whole mess.  Not that it has to be equal fair EVERY time.  I tried to comfort them by saying: "You can tell about a man's character by the way he keeps his golf score."  Polar Bear just kept his head buried in a video game for two hours, but he held a stiff upper lip and attended the awards ceremony afterwards.  Later, our twins sat together on the couch looking at new hockey sticks on the internet with their heads only 6 inches apart.  Captain noted how they needed to be together again.  Very poignant!

Update for July

July 1~Going to Wichita for holiday weekend: Gr. Gerald's cookout, Uncle Carey's cookout, and All-Star Sports for lazer tag.
July 2~Baby shower for Clint and Kathryn at Wichita Art Museum, with special exhibit of Mary Cassatt sketches.
July 3~Cook-out at Carpenter's house with fireworks.
July 4~Practically had the CC pool to ourselves today.
July 5~Driveway decorated with names written in smoke-bomb colors!
July 6~iPads invade our house.  New apps to download.
July 7~Garage sale at Alison's neighborhood.
July 8~New haircut for Me.  Meggar's idea. Boys agreed.
July 9~Waiting for "Mr. Popper's Penguins" at theatre.
July 10~Meggar goes to Greek Reunion in Kirksville.
July 11~The "Fiddlers Three" play Civil War songs for kids at Pony Express Camp.
July 12~My Scouts get too hot at Camp Geiger? More slushies!
July 13~Dorito is in charge of building the fire for the main Council Ring!  He is proud to be promoted to "Fire Builder" in Mic-o-Say.

July 14~Bastille Day in France.  La Quartorze Juillet.  We celebrated with French food at Cafe de Amis with our favorite friends, a classy mother-daughter duo.
July 15~Crepes at home are yummy with lots of Nutella

July 16~Meggar's Birthday with Boeuf Bourguignon (after I burned off the brandy and almost my eyebrows).  Eaten lovingly with the Bridgewaters.










July 17~Three-course fondue party for Meggar and 10 friends=hugely SUCCESSFUL candle-lit affair!
July 18~Vera Bradley makes the best birthday presents for Meggar (especially with 20% off birthday coupon in the mail).
July 19~Book Club = "The Painted Veil"

July 20~Visit from our German friends, the Fechner family, who lived here 10 years ago before transferring to Paris and Vienna with Boehringer.  Everyone wants to be a cowboy at the Pony Express Museum!  Later we enjoyed an orange-chocolate torte they brought us from Cafe Central!  I feel like a diplomat.
July 21~Stopping in Minnesota for swimming break at the lake with Alyssa. And a party with the girls Cross Country team.
July 22~Driving to North Shores for twins' hockey.
July 23~Golfing right behind our hotel.  Mom drove the cart. Twins tied at 48.
July 24~Drove straight home (10 hours) with only two stops.
July 25~Meggar leaves for Connecticut to babysit Jack and Alyssa for two weeks at the beach! Lucky girl!
July 26~Book club watched 2006 movie "The Painted Veil."
July 27~Captain going to Scotland for work/golfing trip.

July 28~Captain enjoys Skype and shows us his room in a 16th century castle.
July 29~Dorito boards the train at Union Station bound for Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico.  They applied two years in advance to enjoy a full two weeks of hiking and backpacking in the mountains.  Andrew Schneider warns us he might talk in his sleep.
July 30~Took Oleg with twins to T-Bones game.  Thanks to Aunt Kathy for free tickets!
July 31~"Willy Wonka" musical with Zachary and twins.  Schieber children shine.

June Update

June 1~Summer is definitely here, but our foundation repairs are forcing us to keep our pool closed.
June 2~The "Fiddlers Three" played at Living Communities to a packed house of 64 residents.
June 3~Joined the Country Club pool. Kids happier.
June 4~Family outing to "Pirates of the Caribbean 4."
June 5~Ethan, Charlie, and Kara stopped by for lunch.
June 6~Platte City golf tourney, and Winger wins play-off hole!
June 7~Working the election seems like waste of time and money for one tax question.
June 8~Making another Strawberry Shortcake.
June 9~Making Banana Cake (aka Potassium Cake to Meggar).
June 10~Playing classical music for "Art in the Park."
June 11~Fiddle music show at "Art in the Park."
June 12~Box Hill Picnic, our annual Jane Austen event in KC.  Hats, tea, and skits for the 200th anniversary of "Sense and Sensibility" publication.  Constance and Beth are our literary companions.  Gr. Judy and Gr. Gerald come for the grand finale tour of John Wornall 1858 house.

June 13~All three boys are staying the week at Camp Geiger.  Winger and PolarBear have separate tents with their friends from the patrol. (?!)
June 14~Tour of Missouri Town 1849.
June 15~Foundation done on the One-Room Schoolhouse.
June 16~YWCA Women of Excellence Luncheon: Dorito and Meggar sound wonderful in foyer.
June 17~Homeschool conference speaker Lisa Hendey arrives at KCI and I treated her at Jack Stack BBQ.
June 18~I catered breakfast buffet for 150 people at KC Catholic Homeschool Conference.
June 19~Starting my own Twitter account. (Thanks, Meg!)
June 20~Boys are successful at Mozingo Golf Tourney.
June 21~Book Club paints a picture of Paris life with Renoir in "Luncheon of the Boating Party."
June 22~Fr. Corapi leaves strange message on "Black Sheep Dog" site.
June 23~Birthday party is a hit with Scavenger Hunt for Dorito and 8 friends. Will they ask for Sweet 16 kisses?  Matthew wins!
June 24~Dorito gets new car stereo with birthday money.
June 25~Dorito passes driving exam!
June 26~Meggar vacations in Chicago with Erin and Mike.
June 27~Too much rain at Moila Golf Tournament.
June 28~Mustangs game with EDGE youth group.
June 29~Shakespeare in the Park: Macbeth with Meggar.
June 30~Dorito fails impact test for post concussion symptoms. Back on the medicine.

Golf Outing in the Off Season

The twins have been planning for this day all winter.  They went to Topeka to golf with their goalie, Dawson.  They are so excited to find someone else who is as serious about golfing as they are!  It gives me time to clean and polish up the house for our important family gathering tomorrow.

Junior Golf Tournament

The twins wanted to enter an area junior golf tournament to see how good they could do, especially since it was being held two days at the St. Joseph Country Club.  Mrs. Young will die when she finds out how much the entry fee was--and we paid it twice!  But Polar Bear and Winger rose to the challenge. They finished in the middle of 23 golfers in a division for 12-and-13-year olds from the three-state area. 

We were impressed!  Most adults can't shoot that well on this course.  My twins shot 179 and 180 over two days, which finished them 17th and 18th.  The winning golfer shot a 69 and a 73 to win first place--as a 12 year old!!?! No kidding!  The top six golfers scored under 80 both rounds, including our hockey friend (James Henderson)! It was fun to see the level of competition and the twins' concentration.

Summer Sports

Here's an update on the boys and their athletic activities over the summer:  Golf has captured our attention about twice a week.  Dorito has gone slightly less often than the twins because of his Scout trips.  They all seem happy to see their scores improving.  At the Gallatin tournament, Winger took 1st place and Polar Bear took 2nd.  Then in Cameron, Polar Bear won 1st place and Winger dropped to 3rd place. I'm glad they carry their bags (good exercise), and I'm thrilled how they enjoy playing together.  Today they spotted some KC Chiefs players at the public course talking with the golf pro--that was very exciting!  Hockey:  Dorito played in a high school scrimmage league and contributed his fair share of goals. I hope he can pass the tryouts for the travel team later this month.  The twins played three tournaments in Minnesota.  Overall, Polar Bear was the team's leading scorer and Winger finished in 3rd place for his number of goals.  We were not surprised with their contribution as much as we were by the poor showing from the other teams they played.  Soccer:  Mr. Sommers' camp was outstanding and has inspired many pick-up games in the empty lot.  Maybe more friends will join in when the weather is less hot and humid.

More Fishing and Golfing

The boys didn't catch as many Northerns on their second day, but good weather made the fishing outing just as enjoyable. Today they are golfing 18 holes, and Dorito got to drive the other golf cart!?! He was thrilled. The Beauty Bay Golf Course is accurately named, and their voices were filled with awe for the scenery and their fine shots.

Putting in the House

Second-round golf scores are pretty good. Polar Bear and Winger are tied for 4th place after today. Dorito survived 18 holes at the Country Club and scored 116. They all came home and wanted to practice their putting in my living room! "Read it, roll it, hole it."

First Round of City Tournament

Golf is on the minds of my men today:
Dorito had to walk 18 holes at Fairview: shot 51/48.
He was comfortable playing with Baxter again.
Polar Bear shot 39 and Winger shot 40 at the Golf Club.
Winger was happy to be paired with Sam.
Good weather and a good start!

Dive In

Yes, he dove into our pool with his golf clothes on! Captain was really sweaty, and the pool was actually cold because of the rain last night! The twins couldn't resist and joined in by practicing their front flips. Polar Bear mastered it right off! Winger is close to a full front flip, but goes a bit tentative off the board.

Our golf foursome this afternoon was Winger, Polar Bear and their two parents. Nice!
Captain shot a 43,
Winger had 47,
Polar Bear shot 49 (competing too hard against dad), and
Wife ended up with 62 (just started slow).

We miss Dorito, who is already off to Camp Geiger for a week and Meggar, who is still working 3-4 jobs to save money for France!

Staying on Par

First time I made par in my life!! On hole #6 at Fairview. Plus I had my best score ever: 56! I had to call Captain and my golfing friend (Tracy) right away! For three weeks, I have been playing 9 holes with the F.L.A.G. (Fairview Ladies Afternoon Golf). I have never golfed more than three times in one calendar year before, so I felt it was time to actually practice. It's good exercise, I meet lots of new people, and I enjoy the fact I can "keep up" with my boys better. Yes, I walk the course. No, the bag is not too heavy. Yes, I'm skinny - but still need my heart and legs to stay strong.

The Masters

Captain is already in Augusta today, and he called me as he headed in to watch the Masters! What luck that the pilots were given tickets, too!! No cell phones are allowed, so we will wait for his update later tonight. The twins hit the links today, too. Any weather above 60' and they are begging for me to take them to the golf course. I wonder if Polar Bear or Winger is in the lead after the front nine? Dorito decided not to accompany them since he already did a 5-mile hike this morning with the Scouts.

Giving Thanks for Golf

Wish I had taken a picture of them wearing their smart-looking vests and wind jackets. The mild temperatures tempted my three sons into a Thanksgiving round of golf. The twins have played 37 times and Dorito has been out 29 times, so they benefited greatly from their '08 membership. Since we only had a half-day of school, they struck out with pal Trent to Fairview at noon. I heard Winger pooped out early (after the 6th hole) in disgust with his score, and Dorito had to poop after the 2nd hole so he ran all the way back and forth from the clubhouse. :-)

Golf Outing on Cool Afternoon

With the pleasant temperatures today, we spent Sunday afternoon at Fairview for 9 holes of golf:
Wife shot a 60
Winger shot a 53
Polar Bear shot a 44
Dorito shot about 55 (from white tees)
Captain shot a 39 (from white tees)
Meggar had 2 babysitting jobs, but usually shoots the same as her mom. :-) At least I am trying to keep up!

Let's Party!

Our 40-something Captain was called in to work this weekend at the last minute. So we postponed the "birthday golf" outing and had presents today when he got back home. Wife chose a new eau de toilette from Givenchy (ooh-la-la). Winger came along to give advice and proudly told me he had never been shopping for cologne in his whole life! In addition, the kids selected a golf pull-cart from MC Sports. They made sure it was one step fancier than their own carts because he is a better golfer. They helped unpack it and set up the bag and water bottle. They were just as excited as he was! Dorito baked the triple layer cake, and Polar Bear helped him with the frosting and a LOAD of candles. We also found time to grill some steaks, pull the cork on the Cabernet, and listen to Dan's Catholic jokes.